Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

Television

Do You Have A Mentor?

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TOPLEX LogoDo you want to become a better leader of your life?  Learn how at The On-Purpose Leader Experience at our website. Enrollment is happening now for a new Experience starting Tuesday, Sept. 24. Visit the website and watch Webcast 1 from September 2012.

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A couple of decades ago a friend of mine attempted to organize a mentor program for those of us in our thirties. He reached out to select men in their 50s and 60s to recruit them as mentors. To his surprise, all of the men he approached felt inadequate to the task of being a mentor. You see, they had never really been mentored so they perceived themselves as not being up to the task and responsibility. Sadly, the program never got off the ground as a result.

Chances are that you, too, don't have a mentor. But do you wish you did?

A mentor is a person with an impersonal interest in your personal leadership development and personal growth. You may be thinking, "'an impersonal interest?' I would think it would be a very personal interest." 

Actually, those of us who mentor need to maintain a healthy distance from our proteges lest we run the risk of being too close to the person. We risk becoming their fan, instead of their mentor. The effect of too much closeness colors our perceptions and shades our reflective feedback.

As a mentor, I must place my commitment to the mentor-protege roles and process above the personal relationship. Similarly, a defense lawyer must place the system of law above the client to ensure justice is served.

To have a "yes man" as a mentor is to have no mentor at all. Mentors must be able to speak truth in love and be willing to suffer the consequence of offending. Truth is the stock and trade of a mentor. 

Mentors aren't dictators; we refine and develop a person's inherent leadership and innate intelligence and capacity for good. Allowing proteges to experience the consequences of their decisions comes with the title of mentor. We need to speak our piece and learn to shut up. Our ultimate interest must be independent, not co-dependent, proteges. Any mentor who is doing otherwise, is simply on an ego trip.

Yoda from Star Wars may be the most famous of all fictional mentors as the unlikely leader of the Jedi Knights. Wouldn't we all like to have a mentor teach us to use "The Force" so we can perform like a Jedi? Recall, however, how many times old Yoda seems to scrunch his face in dismay as Anakin or Luke Skywalker gets ready to do some impulsive (stupid) move that will turn the Force into a Farce.  

Who in your life is or was a mentor for you? What is it about your mentor relationship that makes it special? What does your mentor provide you?

In the interim, The On-Purpose Leader Experience is a highly affordable option where I'm available to be your mentor via phone and the online group.

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The Very Challenged Mercedes-Benz Ads

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What is Mercedes-Benz thinking using lucifer to launch "Something powerful" that we're told is coming February 3? 

I'm watching the AFC playoffs and just halfway through the first period we have three commercials using the Rolling Stones song, Sympathy for the Devil as the sound track to their ads. Who approves ads like this?

I don't get it. MB is a class upscale brand. Linking the brand and the devil is like linking a brand with Nazi Germany … er, ah, perhaps I've said too much. 

Here's my challenge: MB give me 15% of what you invested to create and launch this campaign and I'll give you a better campaign that aligns with the brand and presents a more positive campaign. 

 

 

Here are the lyrics:

Please allow me to introduce myself

I'm a man of wealth and taste

I've been around for a long, long year

Stole many a man's soul and faith

And I was round when jesus christ

Had his moment of doubt and pain

Made damn sure that pilate

Washed his hands and sealed his fate

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guess my name

But what's puzzling you

Is the nature of my game

I stuck around st. petersburg

When I saw it was a time for a change

Killed the czar and his ministers

Anastasia screamed in vain

I rode a tank

Held a generals rank

When the blitzkrieg raged

And the bodies stank

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guess my name, oh yeah

Ah, what's puzzling you

Is the nature of my game, oh yeah

I watched with glee

While your kings and queens

Fought for ten decades

For the gods they made

I shouted out,

Who killed the kennedys?

When after all

It was you and me

Let me please introduce myself

I'm a man of wealth and taste

And I laid traps for troubadours

Who get killed before they reached bombay

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah

But what's puzzling you

Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah

But what's confusing you

Is just the nature of my game

Just as every cop is a criminal

And all the sinners saints

As heads is tails

Just call me lucifer

Cause I'm in need of some restraint

So if you meet me

Have some courtesy

Have some sympathy, and some taste

Use all your well-learned politesse

Or I'll lay your soul to waste, um yeah

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guessed my name, um yeah

But what's puzzling you

Is the nature of my game, um mean it, get down

Woo, who

Oh yeah, get on down

Oh yeah

Oh yeah!

Tell me baby, what's my name

Tell me honey, can ya guess my name

Tell me baby, what's my name

I tell you one time, you're to blame

Ooo, who

Ooo, who

Ooo, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Oh, yeah

What's my name

Tell me, baby, what's my name

Tell me, sweetie, what's my name

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Ooo, who, who

Oh, yeah

Paper Airplane By Michael McMillan

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I'm blessed to have some really cool colleagues and Michael is one of them. This video below speaks for itself so I've given Michael space to be my guest blogger for the On-Purpose Minute.



For a couple of decades I, too, have shared the "Man on the Moon" vision that President Kennedy shared. For On-Purpose fans, I'll add one thing Michael excluded from Kennedy's statement. The President not only said we would put a man on the moon, he also said we would return him safely. The President placed a value on life above technological progress. Life is meaningful.

 

What Is The State of Your America Dream?

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As President Obama prepares to address the nation tonight, let me ask you one simple question, "What is the state of your American Dream?"  Use your webcam to post your response to YouTube or Facebook and then add your link below so others can see what you have to say. 

The only rules:

1. Keep it non-political.  Hey, let's hear your story.

2. Be civil.

3. At the start of the video, please give your name and location.

 

 

Here's my webcam video.

Free Business Tips, Ideas, & Advice for Running (& Starting) Small Businesses and Leading Your Life!

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The challenges of being in business by yourself need not be a burden you carry alone. May I come alongside you for 2 to 4 minutes per week to offer sound business advice and mentoring via a free subscription to the On-Purpose Business Minute and On-Purpose Minute?
 
Every On-Purpose Business Minute packs a practical punch of business ideas, concepts, and tips for your real life challenges of starting and running a business. On-Purpose Minutes help you become a better leader of your life. The better you lead your life, the better you'll lead your business and team. Let's engage in all things business and life. You'll learn how to:
  • Identify and reach more clients & customers. Gain Sales.
  • Use simple business strategies & marketing plans. Work Smarter.
  • Get unstuck and get yourself moving forward. Lead Better.
  • Overcome procrastination and being overwhelmed. Get Moving.
  • Know what matters most. Be Focused.
  • Lead your business from your strengths. Make Better Decisions.
  • Build your business systematically. Be More Profitable.
  • Enjoy and integrate your life and work. Be On-Purpose!

To Subscribe Click Here!

Please watch my invitation to you!

 

To Subscribe Click Here!

May I invest in your business with my best thinking, business tips, and leadership advice? Each video and accompanying text sheds light on real business problems and life challenges we all face. Each is practical, poignant, and intelligent. Opportunities to learn, grow, and build a better business and life abound. Here you can profit and still keep your soul.

  • Every Tuesday you will receive an On-Purpose Minute to help you grow as a leader in life and on the job.
  • Every Thursday you will receive an On-Purpose Business Minute with business tips, ideas & advice to help you lead your business and team to success.

To Subscribe Click Here!

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On-Purpose Profile: Michelle Aguilar

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Weight loss has a definite physical component, but there is so much more to being well.  Our heart and soul, however, are what's often eating at us and why we eat to fill the void.  This video
from the I Am Second series with Michelle Aguilar, a winner of The Biggest Loser TV show, provides great insight into the cause and cure.  (Click on the image below of Michelle to watch the video.)

After watching Michelle's story, continue to view many more stories of some famous and not so famous people and why they are second.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Michelle Aguilar

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The Red Ball Review Rule For Baseball Instant Replays

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The Red Ball Review

In light of the "perfect game" pitched by Armando Galarraga (see the video of the bad call below), is it time for Major League baseball to invest in the instant replay to review close plays?  

I say, "Yes, but on a limited basis."  Balls and strikes should ever be subject to review.  Just about everything else in the game can reasonably be reviewed to get the call right.   Jeff Leadbetter's article, How Major League Baseball Could Implement Instant Replay… Right Now, reflects most of my point of view.  I differ with him on a few matters: balks and catcher interference need to be reviewable.  Five minutes for review is way too long.  Baseball doesn't run with a clock, but let's give the umpires no more than 120 seconds to rule. Jeff Leadbetter's system of limiting the manager to the number of reviews per game makes sense.  Let's allow for the addition of one additional, non-cumulative Red Ball Replay for extra innings. 

Red Ball ReviewHere's my idea that is uniquely baseball.  Instead of a reg flag like football, I propose the use of an offical red baseball ball being tossed onto the diamond to call for a review of a play.   The manager would toss the red ball in the general area between home plate and the pitcher's mound before the pitcher starts his motion for the next pitch.

The Red Ball Review would add a measure of excitement
and anticipation to the game.   One of the side benefits of the Red Ball Review instant replay option is that it might just speed up the game because it discourages much of the managers' posturing with umpires on disputed calls.  Now they have to think before they burst onto the field in protest because they actually have an option other than being two inches from the umps face yelling and spitting.  This option remains, but it gives the Manager a true means to resolve the egregious errors by the umpire crew.

If the Red Ball Review rule were in effect, then Mr. Galarraga would be
in the record books as one who threw a perfect game.  Finally, I don't advocate that Armando Galarraga be awarded a perfect game.  I do advocate baseball learn from it and add the Red Ball Review. 

On-Purpose Persons of the Week Award

Yes, the record books will never reflect his "perfect game," but what we all witnessed from this historic baseball event was the behavior of two perfect gentlemen.  Character endures, accomplishments diminish over time.   Mr. Galarraga and Mr. Joyce (the umpire) will, in fact, long and best be remembered more for being models of behavior in this instance outside the lines than perhaps more anything that takes places within the foul lines.  That's why I'm making both of them my On-Purpose Persons of the Week!

Tell me what you think of the Red Ball Review rule:

Please use the comments section below.  If you reaLInk to Major League Baseball web sitelly like the idea, please share this post with friends and fans using the Share button above.  Best of all, write to Major League Baseball and ask for the Red Ball Review rule.

Mr. Bud Selig, Commissioner,

Major League Baseball, 245 Park Ave., 31st Fl., New York, NY 10167
Phone: 212-931-7800, Fax: 212-949-8636, Toll Free: 866-800-1275

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